jet lag

jet lag

noun

Definition of JET LAG

: a condition that is characterized by various psychological and physiological effects (as fatigue and irritability), occurs following long flight through several time zones, and probably results from disruption of circadian rhythms in the human body

— jet–lagged \ˈjet-ˌlagd\ adjective

Examples of JET LAG

1. I had bad jet lag after that last trip overseas.

First Known Use of JET LAG

1969

Rhymes with JET LAG

air bag, beanbag, black-flag, blue flag, brown-bag, chin-wag, dirtbag, dishrag, dog tag, do-rag, fleabag, flight bag, gasbag, grab bag, greylag, handbag, hangtag, ice bag, kit bag, mailbag, mixed bag, phone tag, postbag, price tag, ragbag, ragtag, ratbag, red flag, sandbag, schoolbag, seabag, sight gag, Sontag, sweet flag, tea bag, time lag, tote bag, washrag, white flag, wigwag, windbag, workbag, zigzag

jet lag

noun \ˈjet-ˌlag\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of JET LAG

: a condition that is characterized by various psychological and physiological effects (as fatigue and irritability), occurs following long flight through several time zones, and probably results from disruption of circadian rhythms in the human body—called also jet fatigue

—jet–lagged adjective

jet lag

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Desynchronization of biological rhythms after moving from one time zone to another. Symptoms include fatigue, loss of concentration, sleep disturbances, malaise, sluggishness, disorientation, gastrointestinal upset, and loss of appetite. Jet lag reflects an interruption of normal light and dark cycles, which influence secretion of the hormone melatonin. Melatonin plays an important role in regulating the circadian rhythm of sleep and wakefulness; because melatonin secretion occurs in response to light-dark cycles, carefully timed exposure to small amounts of light can have a dramatic effect in alleviating jet lag. In addition, melatonin supplements can be used to accelerate the resynchronization of the body clock to a new time zone. Duration and severity of jet lag depend on how much distance is covered in how little time. Travel by jet, after which the phenomenon may persist for some days, first brought the condition to notice, accounting for the name.